BY SAM ALFAN.
Two residents of Garissa have sued the National Land Commission and Ministry of Lands over the establishment of a community conservancy in the county.
Abdullahi Ali Abdi and Abdikadir Ibrahim Shurie argue that NLC together with Garissa County and KWS conspired to deprive them and residents of Ijara Sub County their rights over community land by establishing Ishaqbini Hirola Community, a community-based conservancy located in Garissa County.
They argue the community has not been compensated over the annexation of land for the establishment of the sanctuary in Hara, Korosa and Kotile location.
They want the court to stop the NLC and Ministry of Lands from interfering with the land, which they said was meant for the community, pending the determination of the case.
They further argue that they face a threat of being displaced by the continued encroachment and illegal appropriation of public land by the Northern Rangeland Trust.
The two who are members of the community in Hara, Korisa and Kotile location of Masalai of Ijara Sub-County are aggrieved by the act and omissions of the respondents collectively and respectively in the protection of their community land from acquisition for private use under the false pretense of ecosystem conservation.
They argue that the ministry, Attorney General, NLC, Garissa County Government, Northern Rangeland Trust and KWS have conspired, connived and cooperated to derive them and residents of Ijara sub-county of their rights over community land.
They claim that the annexation has been conducted in secrecy and conspiratorial terms and without following the due process.
They claim unless the court intervenes and issues orders restraining the parties involved, the community will be deprived of their land and community heritage.
Justice John Makau directed the two to serve National Land Commission, Ministry of Lands, Garissa County Government, Northern Rangeland Trust among others. The case will be mentioned on September 9 for further directions.
